Abstract:
【Objectives】 To improve the wildlife resource data of Luofu Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve of Guangdong, comprehend the distribution disparities of birds and mammals at different elevations, habitats, and regions, and provide references for the reserve’s future management and planning. 【Methods】 From August 2021 to June 2022, the Nature Reserve was gridded at 1 km×1 km intervals and divided into two sample sections, east and west. Simultaneously, 40 camera traps were deployed for monitoring. 【Results】 During the 11 544 camera days of monitoring, 5 185 independent photographs were taken, including 2 393 photos of mammals, 2 730 photos of birds, 1 photo of amphibians, and 61 shots of interference. We discovered 12 mammal species from 3 orders and eight families and 34 bird species from 7 orders and 14 families. Only
Viverricula indica is listed as first-class national protected wildlife, while the additional eight species are listed as second-class national protected wildlife.
Melogale moschata (
IRA=6.15) and
Lophura nycthemera (
IRA=14.84) are the mammals and birds with the highest relative abundance index (RAI). The number of bird species and RAI did not differ between elevations, habitats, or sample areas. There were substantial changes in the number of mammal species and RAI at different elevations, with only the RAI of mammals being significantly different between the two sample sites. According to monitoring data, there are five sorts of disturbance in the reserve: collectors, walkers, goats, dogs, and cats. 【Conclusions】 The Luofu Mountain Nature Reserve was abundant in mammals and undergrowth birds. There was no substantial difference in the distribution of birds in the reserve during the monitoring period due to the limits of infrared cameras in monitoring birds and the birds' migration behavior and distribution features. Mammal species distribution along the altitudinal gradient was similar to the pattern of the mid-elevation peak. The RAI of mammals differed significantly between the altitude gradient and the sample areas because
Melogale moschata and rodents moved frequently at 800−1 000 m altitude. The main interference types in sample areas 1 and 2 were inconsistent, as was the influence of each on wildlife.